A man named Jesse Lee Calhoun, 39, has been indicted in the deaths of three women whose bodies were found in Oregon and Washington last year. The grand jury indicted him on second-degree murder charges in the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster, and Joanna Speaks. Calhoun was due to be released from state prison, where he was serving a four-year term for assaulting a police officer, but the indictment came just weeks before his release. Authorities have not revealed details of the evidence linking him to the deaths, and court records did not immediately show if he has legal representation.
Calhoun was initially released from prison in 2021, a year early, for helping to fight wildfires in 2020. However, his commutation was revoked by Gov. Tina Kotek last year when police started investigating him in the deaths of the women. The families of the victims have spoken to reporters about their struggles with addiction and mental health issues. The deaths of two other women, Kristin Smith and Ashley Real, both 22, are still under investigation. The bodies of the victims were found in various locations across northwest Oregon and Washington over a three-month period, sparking concerns about a possible serial killer targeting young women in the region.
Speculation about a serial killer was initially dismissed by the Portland Police Bureau, but authorities later acknowledged that the deaths appeared to be linked. Ashley Real’s body, the most recent one found, was discovered on May 7, 2023. Her father, Jose Real, had reported to police in November 2022 that Calhoun had previously choked her. However, Ashley was too scared to help investigators track down Calhoun. The mothers of two of the victims, Diana Allen and Melissa Smith, attended a news conference where they expressed gratitude for the work of detectives. They have been waiting for answers and justice for their daughters. Melissa Smith expressed hope that her daughter’s case will eventually be solved.
The families of the victims have endured a long period of uncertainty and anxiety, waiting for answers about what happened to their loved ones. The deaths of the young women have raised concerns about safety in the region and the possibility of a serial killer at large. The authorities have been working diligently to investigate the cases and bring those responsible to justice. The indictments against Calhoun in the deaths of three of the women are an important step towards seeking justice for the victims and their families. The community continues to support the families of the victims and hopes for a resolution in the remaining unsolved cases.
